205139 Decomposing the effect of acculturation on the physical and mental health of Vietnamese immigrants in the United States

Monday, November 9, 2009: 1:10 PM

Hongyun Fu, PhD , Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Mark J. VanLandingham, Ph D , Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Janet C. Rice, PhD , Department of Biostatistics, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
     
Background: Though the significance of acculturation to immigrant health has been widely acknowledged, the directions of this association remain largely controversial in existing literature. Utilizing population-based data collected among Vietnamese immigrants in 2005, this study attempts to discompose acculturation and to examine the effect of each dimension of acculturation on the health outcomes.

Methods: Data were collected among a representative sample of Vietnamese immigrants (N=127) living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Individual's health outcomes were measured with two standardized health dimensions from Short Form SF-36 Health Survey: physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Anderson's Acculturation Scale, which was specifically designed for Southeast Asian refugees, was employed to catch the dimensions of acculturation among Vietnamese immigrants. Multivariate regression models were used to estimate the associations between acculturation and health status.

Results: Controlling for confounding social, economic factors, results from multivariate regression analyses revealed a significant association between a higher preference over using English language, having American food and socializing with Americans and higher PCS. Those hose who have high English skill, but low Vietnamese skill fare worse on MCS.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that while being more Americanized is beneficial to the physical health of Vietnamese immigrants, the retention of Vietnamese language and culture is more important for their mental health. Embracing a “bicultural orientation” towards Vietnamese and American cultures leads to the best health outcomes for Vietnamese immigrants. The study highlights the multidimensional and bidirectional nature of acculturation process and its differential impact on physical and mental health.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the process of acculturation of Vietnamese immigrants in the United States. Describe the significance of acculturation to the physical and mental health of Vietnamese immigrants. Design strategies to facilitate the integration of Vietnamese immigrants that promotes their physial and mental health status.

Keywords: Immigrants, Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This paper is based on the work I was involved in during my doctoral training at Tulane University. I have a in-depth understanding on the issue and population under study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Continuity of care for immigrant, migrant and transient populations
See more of: Caucus on Refugee and Immigrant Health